DOCTOR WHO

Doctor Who has always had the ability to do something a little unusual. We had an attempt to do comedy with The Romans, and the surreal nature of The Deadly Assassin. Now, following in the footsteps of Xena and Buffy, comes the series' musical story.

Apart from the musical element - which, like the two earlier Who experiments mentioned is confined to the third episode - Doctor Who and the Pirates is unusual is several ways. Most notably, each episode has a pre-titles sequence and is being told by Evelyn and the Doctor to one of her students, Sally (Helen Goldwyn).

Sally doesn't seem to pleased to see Evelyn when she turns up on her doorstep, and insists on telling her a far-fetched tale about time travel and proceeding to write herself into the story. The frequent interruptions are reminiscent of The Trial of a Time Lord, but are more amusing, with Sally pointing out some of the excesses of Evelyn's storytelling, as well as the fact that most of Red Jasper's pirates sound exactly the same (strange that, huh?)

The Doctor eventually turns up and joins Evelyn in the storytelling. Neither proves entirely reliable - Evelyn allows herself to get carried away and something about the adventure has clearly affected her, while the Doctor's embellishments including claiming that pirate leader Red Jasper told him that he was "stylishly dressed"!

As previously stated, the musical elements of Doctor Who and the Pirates are confined to the third episode. Unlike Buffy or Xena, there's nothing supernatural going on that forces the characters to burst into song. Instead, towards the end of part two, it's suggested that Sally might prefer it if the story has some songs in it. And so, part three does!

"Borrowed" from Gilbert and Sullivan, the songs manage to be both entertaining and plot developing, we discover just what Sally's intentions are and why the Doctor and Evelyn have visited her. Highlights in their tale include the Doctor's challenge of Red Jasper's mate, Mr. Merryweather, over who's better, and his praise of Evil Evelyn.

The cast throw themselves into the musical offerings with gusto. The production notes tell us that Big Finish checked whether Colin Baker could sing Gilbert and Sullivan's operettas (he can), and that actors who could sing were cast in the other roles. Fortunately, they all can. There's even a suitable version of the Doctor Who theme to close part four.

After Graeme Garden's appearance in Bang-Bang-a-Boom!, Bill Oddie becomes the second member of The Goodies to appear in a Big Finish audio. As Sally points out, his Red Jasper is a bit of a pirate stereotype, but this only serves to disguise what a complete pyschopath he is. The other guest stars all deserve praise, especially Helen Goldwyn and Dan Barratt as Jem.

Thanks to Evelyn and the Doctor, we already know the fate of one character, but it's still shocking when it happens. It also draws a parallel with Evelyn's attachment to Sally, which, is the reason why she's telling the story in the first place.

I was starting to grow a little tired of Evelyn, but with Doctor Who and the Pirates and Jubilee, I think the character has been as good as she's ever been. This is undoubtedly one of her strongest outings since her debut in Jacqueline Rayner's last BF audio, The Marian Conspiracy. Recommended. BACK TO THE TOP

DOCTOR WHO AND THE PIRATES
or THE LASS THAT LOST A SAILOR

Written by JACQUELINE RAYNER

Directed by BARNABY EDWARDS

Starring COLIN BAKER
with BILL ODDIE
and MAGGIE STABLES

BIG FINISH PRODUCTIONS

RATING: 8/10

NEXT RELEASE:
CREATURES OF BEAUTY

PREVIOUS RELEASE:
THE DARK FLAME